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The Marshall Thundering Herd are back. Just one season after a stunning 3-9 effort, Marshall is atop the Conference USA East Division and looking like the team to beat yet again. The Thundering Herd will face a tough test when they take on the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders this Friday night. MTSU was able to go into Syracuse and walk out with a win earlier in the year, and has been a very game team at home. The Blue Raiders are sitting at 3-4 and need this win to feel good about bowl eligibility.
This matchup in Week 7 of the regular season will take place on Friday, October 20, 2017,
at 7 p.m. ET at Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
College Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Marshall -2.5
Middle Tennessee State +2.5
Over/Under Check Back Later
Odds Analysis
Things are looking up in Huntington, but Marshall has played a lot of bad teams on its way to 5-1 this season. The Thundering Herd are currently 5-1 ATS too as a result of being undervalued by oddsmakers at the start of the season. Their defense has been lights out, holding three of their six opponents to three points or less.
Middle Tennessee State hasn’t really lived up to expectations aside from the win over Syracuse. The Blue Raiders are 3-4 ATS, but have played well at home with double digit wins over Bowling Green and Florida International.
Key Injury
Brent Stockstill has been out with a shoulder injury since the Syracuse game and the offense hasn’t been as effective as it would be with him under center. Stockstill was one of Conference USA’s best quarterbacks in both 2015 and 2016, and led the team in its upset win over the Orange. As the coach’s son, he has had a ton of experience with this offense and knows exactly what to do in order to beat defenses.
Backup John Urzua has been far more mistake prone than Stockstill this season. Urzua has thrown eight interceptions on 190 passes so far in 2017. Stockstill averaged eight over a full season in 2015 and 2016. Although their numbers are similar, Stockstill faced much tougher defenses than Urzua has, and there’s no doubt this team would be better with Stockstill back in the lineup.
It’s unclear whether or not Stockstill will be able to play in this one, but early indications are that he’s close to returning to action. Keep an eye on his status throughout the week.
Key Stats
This is expected to be a close game, but MTSU has a huge edge in the kicking game. The Blue Raiders have a solid kicker in Canon Rooker, who has nailed 91 percent of his field goals on the year. He has been a perfect nine of nine from 30-49 yards and his lone miss on the year was a 26-yard attempt that he just didn’t hook enough from the hash mark.
Conversely, Marshall’s Kaare Vedvik has not been accurate from any distance this season. Vedvik has missed half of his field goal attempts, and is just one of three from 40-49 yards. He does have a huge leg but struggles with accuracy. Vedvik did make the record books last week though with a 92-yard punt.
Free ATS Pick
This one depends on whether or not Stockstill plays. If he is able to go, jump on the Blue Raiders to win outright. However, they will probably become a small favorite as soon as it is announced that Stockstill is playing. If Urzua gets the start instead, go with the Thundering Herd, who have been efficient with Chase Litton under center and a very stingy defense that doesn’t give up a ton of points to anyone.
College Football Odds: Middle Tennessee State 30, Marshall 26
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